As the City of Johannesburg grapples with the staggering rise in illegal informal settlements, Mayor Dada Morero has issued an urgent plea to politicians, the private sector, and civil society to unite in addressing a more pressing crisis: the escalating levels of homelessness.
In his recent statements, Mayor Morero described the city’s critical shortage of temporary housing, revealing that Johannesburg is struggling to comply with legal mandates requiring municipalities to provide shelter for homeless individuals, as well as those living in hijacked buildings and unlawful informal settlements, before any evictions occur. This has left many vulnerable citizens without adequate options for shelter.
“We are facing a big problem in Johannesburg concerning homelessness,” Morero said, emphasising the necessity for collaboration across sectors to devise sustainable solutions.
He acknowledged that while the city has a limited number of shelters, their effectiveness is minimal, indicating an urgent need for innovation and support.
He highlighted a disheartening reality: many homeless individuals are resistant to accepting government assistance. “Some of the homeless people don’t want to be in shelters,” Morero said.
This unwillingness further complicates the city’s efforts to provide relief and underscores the multifaceted nature of the homelessness crisis, which requires an all-hands-on-deck approach.
In the face of these challenges, the mayor called for a concerted effort from all sectors of society to aid in developing lasting solutions that can effectively tackle the homelessness issue plaguing the city.
“We need everyone to get involved so that we can find enduring solutions to this matter,” he said.
The city now stands at a crossroads, where the decisions made could significantly shape the futures of its most vulnerable residents. Morero’s comments comes amid tensions between pressure groups who are divided over immigration.
Abahlali Basemjindolo has since accused Operation Dudula of forcefully removing vulnerable people from their homes under the guise of fighting illegal migration.
“We’re not necessarily opposed to Dudula but if you’re going to uproot people from their homes then we have to stand up and say No,” said Abahlali Basemjondolo’ Secretary General Thapelo Mohapi about Operation Dudula’s recent campaigns.
Operation Dudula and newly formed outfit March and March have meanwhile criticised the government accusing it of allowing South Africans to be homeless while migrants grab houses unlawfully.
“We are not deterred. we are going to intensify this campaign because our people are homeless but everywhere the landlord is an illegal immigrant and they’re also not paying for services,” said Operation Dudula President Zandile Dabula.
Over the months the city has cracked down on hijacked buildings in the Johannesburg CBD and said it is committed to accommodating deserving people should they be move out of structures deemed unsafe.